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Themes: "Evangelism, Price Paid, Sinner's Need and Helplessness D.D.
"Dear God" he prayed over and over again, "let me get just one more." It took him all day, but he got them all.
Do you have any idea what this man was desperate to get? Was it a stash of money or prizes? Why did he have to get THEM ALL?
Desmond Doss was a 20 year old private in the United States Army during World War II. Because the Bible said in one of the Ten Commandments, "Thou shalt not kill," Desmond didn't think that it was right for him to carry a gun and to kill enemy soldiers. He was willing, though, to serve as a battlefield medic, caring for his fellow soldiers who were wounded in action. It was one of the most dangerous jobs a soldier could have.
On May 5, 1945, on the island of Okinawa just below Japan, Desmond was involved in one of the most ferocious land battles ever fought. His outfit was told to assault a jagged hill on one end of the island, where the Japanese army was dug in and waiting. Desmond's company decided to surprise them with an attack from behind, which meant using ropes and ladders to climb up the side of a 35-foot cliff. Unfortunately, the Japanese saw them and when they all reached the top, the Japanese opened fire. With nowhere to run for cover, Desmond's entire outfit of soldiers was cut down.
Lying there wounded and bleeding, they were all in desperate need of help. The order came from command to withdraw, but Pvt. Desmond could not leave them. All of his buddies would die on that hilltop if he left. He had to try and save them.
With machine guns crackling and grenades and mortars exploding all around him, Desmond crawled out into the open. One by one, he began to drag his wounded friends back to cover behind a big rock. When he got them their, he tied a rope around each one's chest and legs, and lowered each over the 35 foot cliff to safety. Each time he crawled out, he prayed, "Dear God, let me get just one more man." By the time the day was over, he had rescued his entire company of 75 men from certain death. Desmond said, "It's not what I did, but what the Lord did. To me it was a miracle."
In October of 1945, on the lawn of the White House, President Truman placed the Medal of Honor around the neck of Pvt. Desmond Doss. It is the nation's highest award for heroism
As thrilling as the story of Desmond Doss is, the Bible tells us of the greatest sacrifice ever made, and the greatest rescue mission ever undertaken. The Lord Jesus came from heaven into this world, not only to risk His life, but to give His life for a world of sinners. He have His all to provide salvation.
As helpless as those wounded soldiers, and in a far greater danger, we needed a Savior. "The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world." 1 John 4:14.
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Shelly McKenna
